Monday, February 25, 2008
Youth Is Served. Lady Raiders Defeat Knights 47-28
The young Lady Raiders (18-3), led by a pair of veteran senior captains, Meg Kirwan and Emily Clark, defeated visiting North Andover (11-10) in a first round playoff game, 47-28 at the Middle School Gym.
The game proved closer than the final however, as the Knights counter punched effectively, trailing 9-8 after one stanza and leading 17-16 at the half.
Postseason play adds the third zebra (official) and more often than not, that can result in early foul trouble. And so it was tonight, with Meg Kirwan picking up her second early in the second frame, with the score knotted at 9. Coach Rob Ferrante elected to go with Nicole Meuse who responded well.
Melrose made a second half adjustment with full court man-to-man pressure, which bothered North Andover, and sophomore Hannah Brickley came out en fuego with some early points that got Melrose's momentum back, as the locals went up 24-17 at the 3:51 mark. After three, Melrose held what appeared to be a slim 26-20 lead.
But a pair of early final quarter treys, the first from Colleen Hanscom from the right corner and the second from Meg Kirwan from above the top of the key put Melrose up 34-22, sealing the victory.
Melrose's keys to victory included stingy defense on talented Knight forward Nicole Zahoruiko, aggressive rebounding at both ends, and consistency from the free throw line. The interior defense as well as Meg Kirwan who also defended the Knight star held her far below her recent scoring average. Brickley and Laura Irwin both proved especially tough on the glass. Overall, Melrose shot 11 for 15 on free throws.
Very unofficially, Meg Kirwan once again led Melrose with 14, Hannah Brickley had 8, Siena Mamayek added 7, Colleen Hanscom 6, Laura Irwin 5, Nicole Meuse 4, Emily Clark 2, and Nicki Devereaux 1.
Score by Periods*
Melrose... 9 7 10 21
N. Andover 8 9 3 8
Post season callups. Traditionally the coaching staff has added players to the Varsity Roster. This season Coach Ferrante promoted Teagan Bell (sister of former Lady Raider Sam Bell), Ashley Cunningham, and Christine Viola. Congratulations to all on their hard work.
Faces in the Crowd. As usual, former Mayor James Milano rooted on the Lady Raiders. Reading Coach Kim Penney was scouting the game with her assistant. If Reading wins their first round game, they will invade the Middle School Gym as Melrose's quarterfinal round opponent.
*Statistical data, scoring summaries, and miscellaneous information provided by the Back Row Gang.
The game proved closer than the final however, as the Knights counter punched effectively, trailing 9-8 after one stanza and leading 17-16 at the half.
Postseason play adds the third zebra (official) and more often than not, that can result in early foul trouble. And so it was tonight, with Meg Kirwan picking up her second early in the second frame, with the score knotted at 9. Coach Rob Ferrante elected to go with Nicole Meuse who responded well.
Melrose made a second half adjustment with full court man-to-man pressure, which bothered North Andover, and sophomore Hannah Brickley came out en fuego with some early points that got Melrose's momentum back, as the locals went up 24-17 at the 3:51 mark. After three, Melrose held what appeared to be a slim 26-20 lead.
But a pair of early final quarter treys, the first from Colleen Hanscom from the right corner and the second from Meg Kirwan from above the top of the key put Melrose up 34-22, sealing the victory.
Melrose's keys to victory included stingy defense on talented Knight forward Nicole Zahoruiko, aggressive rebounding at both ends, and consistency from the free throw line. The interior defense as well as Meg Kirwan who also defended the Knight star held her far below her recent scoring average. Brickley and Laura Irwin both proved especially tough on the glass. Overall, Melrose shot 11 for 15 on free throws.
Very unofficially, Meg Kirwan once again led Melrose with 14, Hannah Brickley had 8, Siena Mamayek added 7, Colleen Hanscom 6, Laura Irwin 5, Nicole Meuse 4, Emily Clark 2, and Nicki Devereaux 1.
Score by Periods*
Melrose... 9 7 10 21
N. Andover 8 9 3 8
Post season callups. Traditionally the coaching staff has added players to the Varsity Roster. This season Coach Ferrante promoted Teagan Bell (sister of former Lady Raider Sam Bell), Ashley Cunningham, and Christine Viola. Congratulations to all on their hard work.
Faces in the Crowd. As usual, former Mayor James Milano rooted on the Lady Raiders. Reading Coach Kim Penney was scouting the game with her assistant. If Reading wins their first round game, they will invade the Middle School Gym as Melrose's quarterfinal round opponent.
*Statistical data, scoring summaries, and miscellaneous information provided by the Back Row Gang.
// posted by Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @ 9:43 PM 
